as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fall back
And because no one has seen this before, leadership can fall back on trial-and-error decision-making.
—
Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 9 June 2026
When the plane’s nose falls back toward the runway, the plane catches fire and goes up in flames.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 8 June 2026
Highs will fall back into the 70s this weekend.
—Lisa Meadows, CBS News, 8 June 2026
The first video, captured on May 22, 2026, shows a remarkable prominence releasing streams of material that appear to fall back toward the sun as coronal rain.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 9 June 2026
When the plane’s nose falls back toward the runway, the plane catches fire and goes up in flames.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 8 June 2026
Highs will fall back into the 70s this weekend.
—Lisa Meadows, CBS News, 8 June 2026
The first video, captured on May 22, 2026, shows a remarkable prominence releasing streams of material that appear to fall back toward the sun as coronal rain.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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Thus far, two of Colvin’s lawyers in the civil case have withdrawn, citing nonpayment for their work.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
10 Dec. 2025
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When the draw opens, there will be a four-day period when fans can only list or withdraw tickets, but not buy them.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Seeking a brief escape from the public grief that had engulfed her family, 34-year-old Jackie retreated to the White House family quarters and found the British royal entertaining her young son.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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Now, like in the Octagon, everyone has retreated to their corners.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
For example, the tariffs Trump has imposed on imports from China have jumped from 10% to 34%, then up to 104%, 125% and finally 145%, before dropping back down to 30%, all over the course of five months.—
Emily Steinberger,
Fortune,
31 July 2025
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Tyler Smith #73 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to block during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium on December 9, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Verb
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As the New York Times reports, Gates is seemingly pulling out all the stops to rescue his tarnished brand, a fall from grace that’s putting his $89 billion global health fund, the Gates Foundation, in jeopardy.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
11 June 2026
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Over the years, stars have pulled out all the stops with gifts that range from custom artwork to elaborate public tributes.—
Lydia Price,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Verb
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From a box-score perspective, Brind’Amour’s case ranks similarly to that of Rick Tocchet, Bill Guerin and Ray Whitney, who are all unlikely to be inducted given other sure-thing candidates about to retire around the league.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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In January 2024, when Chris Hall retired, the business was acquired by Little Engine Ventures, a private investment partnership in Lafayette, Indiana.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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